"We have a friendship that will be a forever friendship, because we’ve gone through this thing together," explains Dornan, 34, who shot the franchise's last two installments, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, simultaneously with Johnson, 27, last year. "I know what Dakota’s going through the whole way through the movie and she knows what I’m going through. And nobody else does."

For its sequel, Darker found a new director in James Foley (House of Cards, Billions), who has his own take on thedrama.

Johnson and Dornan "told me they barely knew each other when they started the first one. There was some friction in the making of that" film, he says. "But then they really bonded, interestingly enough, in the publicity tour around the world later, so when we started (Darker), they were already up to speed."

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Today the pair can name each other's go-to food cravings (sushi for Johnson, Wendy's for Dornan) and joke about what one has taught the other. "Humor?" Johnson deadpans.

Upon taking the job, Foley immediately made several Fifty changes, first flying to London to bond with James and her screenwriter husband, Niall Leonard (by phone, the famous author calls Foley “incredibly collaborative, he’s a real professional"); asking Dornan to build a more muscular frame; and changing up the sets, including the infamous sex toy-filled Red Room.

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Just in time for Valentine's Day, 'Fifty Shades Darker' is here to sweep you off your feet. Before you head to the theater, check out our exclusive photo shoot with Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY>Fullscreen

New scruff and a more muscular build aren't the only new elements to Christian Grey in 'Darker.' "It's nice to see Christian smile a little bit" in the sequel, says Dornan.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY>Fullscreen

"We finished shooting at sunrise in front of the Louvre," says Johnson of the last shot of 'Fifty Shades Freed,' the final 'Fifty Shades' film, which arrives in theaters in 2018.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY>Fullscreen

After shooting the trilogy, Dornan calls theirs a "forever friendship." Adds Johnson: "We also spend so much time together that it’s quite easy to figure out if the other person is about to have a mental breakdown."
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY>Fullscreen

The stars were happy to shoot the last two 'Fifty Shades' movies, 'Darker' and 'Freed,' simultaneously over six months last year. "The idea of making 'Darker' and taking a year and a half off and then coming back and making 'Freed' is crazy to me. And also, I can’t keep pretending I look 28," Dornan laughs.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY>Fullscreen

The most indulgent thing these two did after a day of filming? "Drink," they both respond in unison.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY>Fullscreen